Package for cylindrical articles or objects



United States Patent O 3,202,276 PACKAGE PGR CYLRISAL ARTlClLES R OBHECTS Robert V. Burt and Alson ill. Harm, Cincinnati, Ghio,

assignors to The Procter d; Gamble Company, `Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of (Ehio Filed Dee. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 332,480 7 `t'llairns. (Cl. 20G-65) This invention relates to a sealed package for a plurality of cylindrical articles or objects. It is directed at a construction wherein the package provides maximum unobstructed surface areas for advertising and printed matter.

In the packaging of products which are in the form of cylinders, eg. cans, toilet tissue rolls, hand towel rolls, etc., it is oftentimes desired to form a package containing several articles for multiple sale and promotion purposes. However, the geometry of cylindrical articles does not readily lend itself to the formation of packages containing two or moreV articles which can be readily and neatly formed free of bulky folds and tucks. This usually results in packages which give an unattractive overall appearance. It also diminishes the surface area available for the placement of advertising copy, instructions and other necessary printed matter.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a package for enclosing two or more cylindrical articles such that the axes of the articles are in spaced parallel relation. The package is formed from flexible wrapper material, preferably a heat sealable non-fibrous film, with the excess material which remains at the ends of the Wrapper material due to the curved end surfaces of the side-byside cylindrical articles folded and tucked so as to provide a neat and attractive package.

It is another object of the invention to provide a package of this character whereinthe seams, folds, and tucks are made so that maximum unobstructed surface areas remain on the finished package. This permits the printing of advertising and like material in large and bold type as is the usual practice for commercially marketed packages destined to be sold in the retail trade.

The nature and substance of the invention can be summarized as comprising a package having a wrapper formed from a web of heat sealable material, said wrapper cornprising a tube formed around at least two cylindrical articles having parallel axes and with their cylindrical surfaces in line or planar Contact midway between their parallel axes. End seams are formed at each end of the Wrapper substantially parallel to the axes of the articles. The excessive material at the opposite ends of the wrapper which occurs due to the curved surfaces of the cylindrical articles is eliminated by tucking such excess material into the spaces between the outer cylindrical surfaces at the ends of the articles near their planar surfaces and the superposed layer of the wrapping material covering said outer cylindrical surfaces. if desired, the tucked ends can be permanently sealed to the end seams when the package is formed in order to prevent the tucks from becoming disengaged or dislodged from the package during handling in the channels of commerce.

The package can be made from an elongated tube and the articles inserted therein. Preferably, however, the tube is formed around the articles by forming a longitudinal seatn in an appropriately folded web. In the latter case, the tube is formed so that its seam lies along the end surfaces of the articles, preferably the bottom of the package, along a line which intercepts approximately the axes of the articles although a seamless tube can be used as well to achieve the previously mentioned objects and results. The packages are particularly suited for the packaging of two rolls of toilet tissue which nowadays is commonly marketed in this fashion. While the invention 3,2%,225 Patented Aug. 24, i965 lCe will hereinafter be described as a package for two rolls of toilet tissue, it will be understood that it can be used for packaging three or more rolls of toilet tissue or other articles which are generally cylindrical in shape.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FGURE 1 is an isometric view of a partially formed package after all of the heat seals have been made showing one of the extending ears tucked into place.

FlGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken through the end seam on the line 2-2 of FEGURE l showing the tucked ear which has been exaggerated and pulled away from the packaged article for clarity of illustration.

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view illustrating a finished package wherein the tucked ears are searned with the end seams to prevent dislodgment of the tucked ears.

FGURE 4 is an enlar ed fragmentary cross section taken through the end seam on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3 showing the end tuck in detail.

The package of this invention will be described in terms of a wrapper formed from a polyethylene material which is seamed into tubular forni so that the toilet tissue rolls can be enclosed therein prior to forming the final seals on the package. lt should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to a package having a longitudinal seam since the tube can be -ormed in various Ways and can be seamless if desired. The package can be made from diverse other heat sealable materials as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Referring to FIGURE l, the rolls of toilet tissue lll and El?. are shown enclosed in a wrapper lf3 which has been formed around the rolls ll and l2 from a web of heat scalable material and then seamed longitudinally along the line i4. After the wrapper has been initially formed in this fashion, the rolls of toilet tissue 1li and l2 are moved into abutting relationship and an end seam l5 is formed. An end seam lo is then formed. at the other end in like manner. The end seams l5 and lo are formed snugly against the rolls il and l2, respectively, so that the package is substantially taut on all surfaces whereby the articles or rolls of toilet tissue are in Contact along a line or plane midway between their respective central axes.

Forming the end seams l5 and lo causes the formation of ears at the opposite ends of the end seams such as the ears i7, it? and i9 which protrude as shown because of the presence of excess wrapper material. These ears of excess material are unsightly insofar as the appearance of the package is concerned. They are also undesirable with regard to any printing which may appear on the wrapper i3 since they tend to distort the printing and make it difficult to read.

Referring now to yFIGURES l and 2, the excess material may be effectively eliminated in the manner which will now be described. Thus, the excess material forming the ear 2li (FIGURE 1) is shown tucked into the space between the portion of the wrapper l which extends to either side of the seam l5 and .the contiguous cylindrical surface of the roll of tissue il. The tucked ear 2tl is pushed downwardly until it is completely inserted between the article 1l and the wrapper so that the upper folded edge 21 (FIGURE 2) of the -end seam 15 is approximately aligned with the top surface 22 of the package. In this condition, the lower extremity of the tucked ear extends downwardly along the line 23 shown in both FlGURES l and 2.

In FIGURE 2, the configuration of the excess material in the form of a tucked ear Ztl has been exaggerated fol' clarity of illustration. As illustrated therein, the upper end 2l of the seam 15 has been pulled away from the surface Z4 of the tucked material. In forming the tuck, the material will take this configuration temporarily in `order that the `excess material may be folded into the tucked position. However, when Ithe tuck is completed, the inherent resiliency of the polyethylene wrapping material will cause the surfaces 2d and 25 to lie in snug superposed relation as shown in FIGURE l. The excess material Aforming the ears 17, 18 and i9 `are tricked in similar fashion to complete the formation of the package.

Another form of the package is illustrated in FIGURE 3 wherein the excess material at the ends has been fully tucked as an incident of the formation of the end seams, the excess material being heat sealed along with the end seam. The package of FIGURE 3 has a tubular wrapper 26 which cncloses the rolls of toilet tissue 27 and 28. The tubular wrapper 26 can be formed in much the same way as the wrapper i3 as heretofore described. The excess material is infolded first and then held in the infolded position by means of the end seam 3l. As better illustrated in FIGURE 4, the end seam 31 is formed and simultaneously sealed to .the layer 32 of the excess material which is generally indicated at Z9. The advantage of this arrangement is that the excess material does not become dislodged from the finished package. As in the previous embodiment, the excess material generally indicated at 29 and Sti will have folded edges 33 and 34, respectively, extending along the lines in the `manner illustrated in FIG- URES 3 and 4.

With reference to `FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the upper flat surface 35 of the package which is bounded by the encircling line or corner 36 is entirely free of any excess material or other obstructions. This has the advantage of providing a free .surface having its entire area available f-or printed matter. It will .als-o be noted that the excess material at the ends of the package is inifolded within the wrapping material so that the surface 37 overlying the cylindrical surfaces of the rolls of toilet tissue 27 and 28 is also available for the printing of advertising or other copy, as is the other side of the package. These same advantages are present in the embodiment of FIG- URE l after all of the excess material in the form of ears has been tucked in the manner described for that structure.

It has been found that the tubular 4wrapper for the packages discussed heretofore can be formed by hand. It

has also been found that the ltubular wrapper can be formed around the toilet tissue rolls by mechanical means, and mechanical means provided to tuck the excess material and effect the desired heat seals.

The wrapper can be made from numerous heat scalable materials. In the preferred form, a transparent wrapper is used .although opaque wrappers can be equally effective. Preferably, the wrapper material is a thermoplastic, organic polyme-r or co-polymer. Because of its properties, a preferred material is either a high or low density polyethylene film. By way of further examples, the package can be made from polypropylene, polyethylene/ propylene, rubber hydrochloride, vinyl chloride-acetate copolymer, ethyl-ene glycol terethph-alate, vinylidene chloride, poly-amide and like organic polymer films. Heat scalable papers, i.e. papers coated with a suitable heat sealing film, may also be employed.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated .and described it will 'be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing lfrom the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed `as new is:

1. A package for a plurality 4of cylindrical articles having their axes in parallel relation comprising a wrapper made from `a flexible, heat scalable material, said wrapper being formed into a snug tube around said articles, a lateral end seam formed across each end of said tube, said end seams running substantially parallel to the axes of said articles, 4an excess of said wrapper material at the extremities of the end seams, said excess wrapper material being folded inwardly between the `arcuate surfaces of the cylindrical articles at each end 4of the package and the portions of said wrapper immediately adjoining the said end seams.

2. A package as claimed in claim l wherein said excess wrapper material is folded inwardly and `heat sealed to the end .seams as said end seams `are formed to prevent dislodgment of the excess wrapper material from the infolded position.

3. A package for two cylindrical articles having their axes in parallel relation and their at planar end surfaces forming two parallel planes substantially perpendicular to said parallel axes comprising a web of wrapper material having opposed parallel edges, said wrapper material being a flexible, heat scalable material, said wrapper material fitting snugly around said articles and forming a tube, said tube having a longitudinal sea-m joining the opposed edges of .the wrapper material to complete the tube, said cylindrical `articles being in abutting relationship within the tube, an end seam formed substantially parallel to the axes of said cylindrical articles at both ends of said tube materia-l, said end seams being `formed snugly against the cylindrical surfaces of said articles, an excess of wrapper material at the extremities of the end seams, said excess wrapper material being folded inwardly between .the arcuate surfaces of the cylindrical articles at the ends of the package and the end portions of said wrapper joined by said end seams.

fi. A package for two rolls of toilet tissue having their axes in parallel relation and their flat end surfaces in two parallel planes substantially perpendicular to said parallel axes comprising .a web of Wrapper material having opposed parallel edges, said wrapper being a flexible, heat scalable, thermoplastic, organic polymer material, said ywrapper fitting snugly around said rolls of toilet tissue and forming a substantially rectangular tube with the axis of the tube substantially perpendicular to the axes of the toilet tissue rolls, said tube having a longitudinal seam joining the opposed edges of the wrapper material to com- .plete the tube and form it .snugly around said toilet tissue rolls, said toilet tissue r-olls being in `abutting relationship intermediate the axes of said toilet tissue rolls, end seams formed at both ends of the tube material enclosing said toilet tissue rolls, said end seams being substantially parallel to the axes of said toilet tissue rolls and being formed snugly .against the cylindrical surfaces of said toilet tissue rolls, an excess of wrapper material `at the extremities of the .said end seams, said excess wrapper material being folded inwardly between the arcuate surfaces of the toilet tissue rolls at the ends of the package and the end portions of said wrapper joined by said end seams.

5. A package as claimed in claim 4 wherein said excess wrapper materia-l is folded inwardly .and heat sealed to the end seams .simultaneously when said end seams are formed to prevent dislodgment of the excess wrapper material from the infolded position.

5. A package for rat least two cylindrical articles having their axes in parallel relation and having their flat end surfaces in two parallel planes substantially perpendicular to said parallel axes comprising a web of wrapper material having spaced parallel edges when in flat condition, said wrapper material being a flexible, heat scalable, thermoplastic, organic polymer material, said wrapper being `tted snugly around said cylindrical articles to form a substantially rectangular tube `with two opposite surfaces of said substantially rectangular tube supelposed on said tia-t end surfaces of said cylindrical articles, said substantial-ly rectangular tube having a longitudinal seam joining the spaced parallel edges of the wrapper material to cornplete the tube, the axis of said substantially rectangular tube being substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the axes of said cylindrical articles, said cylindrical articles being in abutting relationship intermediate their axes, an end seam formed at each end of the substantially rectangular tube sur-rounding said cylindrical articles, said end seams being substantially parallel to the laxes of said cylindrical articles, said end seams being formed snugly against the cylindrical surfaces of said cylindrical articles, an excess of wrapper material normally extending outwardly from the flat end surfaces of said cylindrical articlcs after said end seams have been formed, said excess Wrapper material being folded inwardly tbe-tween the .arcuate surfaces of the cylindrical articles at the end-s of the package and the superposed end portions of said wrapper 15 in the `area Where said wrapper is joined by said end seams. 7. A package as claimed in claim 6 wherein said excess Wrap-per material is folded inwardly and sealed to the end seams when said end seams are formed to prevent dislodgment of the excess Wrapper material from the infolded position.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,767,264 6/30 Broderick 229-57 2,412,501 12/46 Gardner 229-58 2,648,263 8/53 Richens 229-58 2,704,179 3/ 55 Wilcox 229-48 3,001,644 `9/61 'Fourness 229-51 3,013,655 12/61 Brody 206-58 13,06 6,792 12/ 62 Spilman 206-45 .33 3,074,798 1/ 63 Palmer 206-4533 3,119,548 1/64 Cook.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

6. A PACKAGE FOR AT LEAST TWO CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES HAVING THEIR AXES IN PARALLEL RELATION AND HAVING THEIR FLAT END SURFACES IN TWO PARALLEL PLANES SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID PARALLEL AXES COMPRISING A WEB OF OF WRAPPER MATERIAL HAVING SPACED PARALLEL EDGES WHEN IN FLAT CONDITION, SAID WRAPPER MATERIAL BEING A FLEXIBLE, HEAT SEALABLE, THEREMOPLASTIC, ORGANIC POLYMER MATERIAL, SAID WRAPPER BEING FITTED SNUGLY AROUND SAID CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES TO FORM A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR TUBE WITH TWO OPPOSITE SURFACES OF SAID SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR TUBE SUPERPOSED ON SAID FLAT END SURFACES OF SAID CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES, SAID SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR TUBE HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SEAM JOINING THE SPACED PARALLEL EDGES OF THE WRAPPER MATERIAL TO COMPLETE THE TUBE, THE AXIS OF SAID SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR TUBE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO AND INTERSECTING THE AXIS OF SAID CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES, SAID CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES BEING IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP INTERMEDIATE THEIR ACES, AN END SEAM FORMED AT EACH END OF THE SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR TUBE SURROUNDING SAID CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES, SAID END SEAMS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE AXES OF SAID CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES, SAID END MEANS BEING FORMED SNUGLY AGAINST THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACES OF SAID CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES, AN EXCESS OF WRAPPER MATERIAL NORMALLY EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE FLAT END SURFACES OF SAID CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES AFTER SAID END SEAMS HAVE BEEN FORMED, SAID EXCESS WRAPPER MATERIAL BEING FOLDED INWARDLY BETWEEN THE ARCUATE SURFACESE OF THE CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES AT THE ENDS OF THE PACKAGE AND THE SUPERPOSED END PORTIONS OF SAID WRAPPER IN THE AREA WHERE SAID WRAPPER IS JOINED BY SAID END SEAMS. 